Infectious disease expert Dr. Lisa Barrett is sharing her thoughts on the end of mandatory COVID-19 restrictions in Nova Scotia.
Mandatory restrictions, including the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus, came to an end yesterday.
She discussed what will happen without mandatory isolation and if this is the right time to end that requirement.
“We are going to see more cases of this newest set of variants. Was it the right time? I’m not sure,” says Barrett. “The better question will be are people able to understand going out in public when you’re sick or when you known you have COVID-19 is still not the right thing to do if you can at all stay home.”
She’s reminding people that while it’s no longer mandatory to isolate or wear a mask they’re still highly recommended by infectious disease experts.
The province also announced that COVID-19 data reports would now only be released monthly.
Barrett says she would like to see more data released going forward.
“If we’re going to tell people ‘make your own risk assessment’ it’s really tough to do that unless we’re continuing to get data,” says Barrett. “Would I love to see a little bit more data a little bit more frequently? I definitely would, however, I think people should assume there is still virus around.”
She added that more infectious variants are still popping up and a vaccine plus plan will be important to keep people healthy this summer.
While many are anticipating a resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall, Barrett says we are already seeing an uptick in new variant cases in Ontario as well as an increase in hospitalizations.
When asked which, if any, restrictions should have stayed, Barrett said she wishes the province kept the mandatory mask requirement in public places.
She says it puts an unfair burden on vulnerable people in those situations.